Schedule—Fall 2026
October 20 – November 8, 2026
The Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies presents the annual Polish Film Festival, featuring contemporary Polish cinema and restored classics.
For nearly thirty years, the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies at the University of Rochester has brought the best of Polish cinema to Rochester. This year’s festival unfolds in three parts.
Part I presents two classics at the Dryden Theatre. We celebrate Pola Negri, Poland’s first great international film star, with The Wildcat, a silent comedy by Ernst Lubitsch that has never before been shown at the Dryden, accompanied live on the piano. We also mark the centennial of Andrzej Wajda, born in March 1926, with Ashes and Diamonds, the masterpiece that defined the Polish Film School.
The Grand Opening on November 3 brings Heel, known in Poland as Dobry chłopiec (Good Boy), a darkly funny thriller by Jan Komasa, who has twice been a guest of our festival. The evening continues with a reception and live jazz, and everyone is invited.
Part II offers five evenings of new Polish cinema at The Little Theatre, including both of the last two winners of the Golden Lions, Poland’s top film prize: The Altar Boys (2025) and Through the Wall (2026). The program ranges from an unflinching portrait of domestic violence to a World War II thriller, a warm and funny coming-of-age story, and a true love story born in a Stalinist prison.
Saturday, November 7, is Ukrainian Day, with two documentaries about children whose lives were changed by the war, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers.
Closing night of the festival is on Sunday, November 8, with a reception with Polish food by Polska Chata of Rochester.
For more information, please contact Anna (Ania) Michas, Program Coordinator, Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies, University of Rochester at amichasb@ur.rochester.edu.
Screenings
See the listings below to view the details of each screening or download a PDF of the schedule. More information about attending screenings can be found on the tickets and venue page.
Polish Film Festival Part I
October 20 and October 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Dryden Theatre at George Eastman Museum
900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
The classic program is curated by the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum, which has paired the festival’s new films with classics of Polish cinema for more than a decade.
Grand Opening
Following tradition, the festival officially opens at the Dryden Theatre. After the film, everyone is invited to an opening reception with live jazz and food and drinks with Polish accents.
Heel
Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Dryden Theatre at George Eastman Museum
900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
Polish Film Festival Part II
November 4 through November 8 at 7 p.m.
The Little Theatre
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
All films are in Polish or Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Polish Film Festival Ukrainian Day
Saturday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
The Little Theatre
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
The two documentaries will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A with:
- Evgeny Afineevsky, director of Ash and Crayons
- Professor Krzysztof Kopczynski, director of Inga, University of Warsaw
- Michael Sawkiw, President, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
- Professor Olena Prokopovych, Nazareth University
- Professor Randall Stone, Director, Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies
Closing Night
After the film, everyone is invited to a closing reception with Polish food prepared by Polska Chata of Rochester.
Through the Wall
Sunday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
The Little Theatre
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604